Multiple opening press



June 2l, 1960 H. H. ROGERS 2,941,249

MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS ARD H. ROGERS www TTY.

June 2l, 1960 H. H. ROGERS 2,941,249

MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS Filed May 28, 1958 INVENTOR H. Rosi-:Rs

June 2l, 1960 H. H. RoGERs 2,941,249

MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS Filed May 28, 1958 6 SheetsSheet 3 I N vENToR HOWA I lROGEB MAM TTY.

June 21, 1960 H. H. ROGERS MULTIPLE oPENNG PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 28. 1958 INvENToR wAno HROGERS J1me 21, 1960 H. H. ROGERS 2,941,249

MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS Filed May 28, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 i ISO mz \l4 INvENToR gg. RoGERs by M EAT-rv.

June 21, 1960 H. H. ROGERS 2,941,249

MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS Filed May 28, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 C! 216 208 @iig o u o o o o o o o x I i: o o o o o o o o o o o ai@ 7 w y INVENTOR 208 204 20 zoc Zio 206 204 H ARD H, ROGERS limited-States Patent i MULTIPLE OPENING PRESS Howard H. Rogers, Moline, Ill., assignor to Williams- White & Co., Moline, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 28, 1958, Ser. No. 738,485

11 Claims. (Cl. 18-17) My invention relates to an improved multiple opening press and more particularly to -a simultaneously closing press whereby the plural dies or platens thereof are closed, one on the other, at a relatively slow rate without impairing the output rate thereof.

In the manufacture of wallboard, hardboard, Masonite and sheet materials of similar character, the raw form of which consists of a granular or powdered mixture of filler and binder, the process of formation involves inserting a layer of the mixture of uniform thickness between a pair of plates, usually |heated, and the plates then brought together and pressure applied on the layer between. Under the inuence of the heat and pressure, the binder plasticizes and sets to form the finished board.

In the pursuit of economical manufacture, presses have been developed consisting of a plurality of horizontal platens or plates mounted in a press frame with a hydraulic ram below. Stepped intercepts are situated to support the plates a spaced distance apart to provide working room for the insertion of a sheet of the powdered material into each opening between the plates. To form the sheets, the ram is elevated and the lowermost plate is raised against the plate next above which then carries it upward against the second plate above and so on until each plate has been picked up and the pile squeezed against the head or top platen of the press to set and cure the sheets.

Again, in order to speed production the ram is powered for elevation through a valve which permits a rapid rate of traverse to closure until pressure is encountered. It will be appreciated, therefore, each plate will close on the plate above at this same rapid rate. Conventional sheet sizes formed on these presses are 4 X 8 feet, 5 x 9 feet, 4 x l2 feet, etc. When two surfaces so extensive are closed together rapidly, air is forced from between them at such a velocity that a substantial quantity of the powdered or granular material contained therebetween toward the edges of the layer of unset material will be entrained in the escaping air :and blown out, so making the finished sheets defective in the areas about their edges.

My invention is directed to a multiple plate press of this character wherein the relative rate of closing between adjacent plates is but -a small fraction of the rate of movement of the ram with the result that the plates may be closed one on the other at a slow enough rate to permit the air between to escape at suihciently low velocities so -as not to disturb the layer of powdered or granular material introduced therebetween. As ya consequence, a press incorporating my invention can produce sheets of Masonite, hardboard, wallboard and the like which are sound to their edges and which require minimum trimming. Conversely, a more rapid closure of the press can be employed with a relative rate of closure between plates still less than that .in current practise, so accelerating the manufacturing process while still producing sound sheets.

. requirements of hardboard manufacture, its applications ice Although my invention evolved out of the immediate are by no means limited to this particular product or to the particular machine to which it is applied in the following detailed description. The field of application of my invention can extend to any press or comparable apparatus wherein a plurality of surfaces are to be closed one on the other. A press incorporating my invention has two characteristics of significance. The die elementsthereof close one on the other at a fraction of the rate of closure of the total movement of the press and the die elements close on each other simultaneously. Thus, for Iinstance, where identity of curing conditions are desired, my invention will have application.

I achieve these results by the incorporation into a press of the character described of a novel movementdividing or proportioning mechanism whereby a particular rate of movement imparted to one element of the press is transmitted to other elements in various fractional relations to that rate. This mechanism is simple in character and sure in functioning. By the employment of this mechanism a closing relation of the elements of the press lis obtained whereby panels of any thickness Within the `capabilities of the press may be formed Without modiiication or adjustment. Thus a press may produce oneeighth inch panels in one operation :and one inch panels in the next, the difference being determined solely by the charges introduced thereinto. This mechanism, although described in conjunction with a multiple plate press, should not be regarded as being so limited in application. Other areas of advantage will undoubtedly suggest themselves.

A primary object of my invention may, therefore, be cons-idered to be the provision of a multiple opening press wherein the die elements thereof close one on the other .at la fraction of the rate of closure of the total closing movement thereof. More narrowly, this object may be considered to be the provision of a multiple opening multiple plate press wherein the plates close one on the other yat that fraction of the rate of movement of the mechanism closing the plates together which iS the lreciprocal of the number of movable plates. A further object of my invention is the provision of a press of the character described wherein the die elements thereof close one on the other simultaneously.

Yet another object of my invention may be considered to be the provision of a simultaneously closing, multiple plate press which may be employed for the production of formed sheets of -any desired thickness without modiiication or adjustment thereof.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of mechanism for a press of this character to achieve these stated ends which is simple in character, accurate in functioning, compact and strong. A further object of my invention is the provision of mechanism of this character which compensates readily for unevenness of filling las between adjacent plates.

Yet yanother object of my invention lies in the provision of a movement proportioning mechanism in a press of the character described or in analogous mechanism whereby -a certain rate of movement applied to one element is imparted in various specific fractions to other elements.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be appai'lent `from the lfollowing description and drawings of whic Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a multiple opening, multiple plate press embodying my invention, together with associated operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the press of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the left side of the press of Fig.V 1; l Y

Fi-g. 4,;is ,a .still furtliler enlarged top plan view of the conical pulley of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of thetcentrjal portion ,of the jpulley-of Fig. 4;

6 is a fragmentary elevationof 'the the .pulley lLut .Fs- 4;

tFig. 7 isaseotion taken substantially-along vthe-line 7`7 @ctrl-"ig f6, .looking inthe direction ofthe arrows, illustrating the upper anchored end otone of themain driving-cables.;

Fig. :Skis a top plan-view of aportion of one edge of one of the pulleys forming a part of myvinvention shown with Athe associated .p ress parts thereunder;

is an enlarged -fragmentaryelevation ofthe Anear corner of the upper vends -of the plate of Fig. 3 and associated :mechanism taken `substantially from the line 9-9 of Fig. 3,.looking-in the'direction of the arrows;

Fig 10 is a sidee'levation :of a plate supporting spring cage;

Eig. 11 is a ',top plan view .otone end vof one of 'the lower; Vlateszofthe press;

Fig. 1'2 is a'fragmentary section through one corner of the base of the illustrated vpress taken substantially on the line .12a-:12 ofEig. llookingin the direction of the arrows;

fFig. 13 is an elevation ofthe upper end of one of the lifting cables; and

Fig. '14 is a side elevation of ,a corner of the press takensubstantially from the line 14-14 of Fig. l looking in thedirection of the arrows.

:In Fig. lis illustrated a multiple plate press 10 incorporating-an embodiment of my invention. The press generally-is conventionalin structure and representative of nthe type of press .employed in the hardboard industry. It includes a box-like base 12 formed of heavy steel iplate and including upright and horizontal members welded together for-maximum rigidity and strength. The base is supported in a pit V14. The base has mounted therein a plurality `of hydraulic cylinders 16, and hyrdraulicflluid is delivered ,to or exhausted from the cylinders through conduits -18 land a surge valve 2i). A reservoir 22 is provided 'from which the iluid is pumped by purnpingfmechanism :indicated generally by numeral 24 and to which the "fluid returns upon a downstroke of the press.

eheillustrated press is provided with a pair of relatively small diameter, rapid traverse cylinders 26 which achieve a high speed closure of the press and the larger cylinders 16 apply curing pressure to the hardboard upon closure-of the press. The rams 28 of the cylinders 16, 2'6 -extend upwardly above the base 12 and are secured Yto the Iunderside lof a bottom platen 36.

A control panel 32 is provided for operation of the machine.

Tierods 34 extend upwardly from the corners of the base 12'and carry a top platen 36, against a box-'like structure formed of welded steel plate and having a at undersurface 38. The top platen likewise includes vertical and horizontal members welded together for maximum rigidity and strength. The tie rods 34 `are shouldered top and bottom to support the top platen above the bottom platen Aand heavy nuts 4Q are secured-to the ends of the tie rods exteriorly of the base and the top platen to withstand the thrust vof the hydraulic mechanism at curing pressures.

A plurality of plates 42 (Fig. 3) smoothly finished on both sidesare bored to have `a network of steam passages .therethrough and steam is admitted from a manifold 44 through steam conduits 46 into the plates and exhausted from the plates insimilar fashion (not shown) to heat the plates to curing temperatures. The plates are rectangular and identical in'size land proportioned to extend through the pressefromgfrontzto back `andtto tit narrowly dietween :the '.two :rows oftie rods34 from side .to side. The plates 42 include a top heated plate 48 *securedat back .side ot` against the top` platen and a bottom heated plate 50 in continuous contact with the bottom platen 30. The bottom platen is guided for movement on the tie rods 34 by split sleeves S2 which encompass the tie rods.

All of the structure thus far described is conventional and thoroughly familiar to a person skilled in the art, and no more detailed adescription of the basic machine is, therefore, vbelieved necessary.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2,the'top platen 36 includes a pair of beams 54 which project out on either side of .the press as at 56 and are vertically beveled off as at 57. Bearings 58 are secured tothe projecting ends 56 of the beams at an angle to the axis of the 'beam and normal to the bevels 57. The inside ends y60 of horizontal pulley shafts 62 are journaled for rotation in bearings 58. At each comer of the top platen, a pair of parallel, spaced steel plates 64 `are welded vertically to extend ,outwardly from the lower edges of the corners thereof `at the same angle as the angle of the bearing 5 8. .The plates extend outwardly and upwardly andsupport :a horizontal Ashelf 66 attheir upper, outer ends at about the level of .the top `surface ofthe beams 54. ,A bearing 168is'mounted to the .shelf 66 in-.axial alignment with bearingfSSzin which Ythe outerend 70 :of the;pulley shaft 62 contained.

'fThe pulley shafts 60 between bearings58 and 68 mount conical pulleys 72. The placement of the bearings and pulley shafts is suchthat one side of the pulleys laps over the front (and-rear) edges-ofthe press and the other side of the pulleys extends outwardly therebeyond. The orientation of 'the shaft is such that a vertical plane tangent to the overlapping sides of the pulleys is parallel to and closely adjacent the front (or rear) face `of the press.

The pulleys 72 may be castings having a central bore 74 therein for the recept-ion of the pulley shafts 62.(Figs. 4, 5 and 6). The conical faces 76 ofthe pulleys have a plurality of separate independent cable grooves or sheaves 78 formed therein `arranged in sequence from the peripherytoward the center thereof. The grooves 78 may `be formed by machining out the ysurface of the cone so asto provide, in effect, a multiple groove pulley having independent grooves of progressively increasing diameter, from the apex of the pulley toward the periphery.

Each of .the grooves 78 isprovided with a shoulder 80 and an enlarged groove portion or pocket 82 behind the shoulder, the shoulders lying on a line 84 (Fig. 3) generally radial of the pulley. The shoulders and enlarged portions 82 are formed by reaming the grooves out concentrically with respect to the transverse curvature thereof on lines generally tangential with respect to the groove to both deepen and widen the grooves. The Teaming describes, however, only half la chord as at 86 -so-as to-leave the right-angle, near-annular shoulders 80 as described and particularly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The annular planar outside surface 88 of each of the several sheaves has tapped holes 90; therein in radial alignment with and outwardly from the pocket 82 in the groove next inside the sheave in the side of which the holes Vare formed.

A plurality of metal blocks 92 are provided of sheave thickness and of about exposed sheave side width which are-secured by screws 94 against the exposed plane sides of the pulley-sheaves. The inside edges 96 of the'blocks closely approach the rims 98 of the sheaves next inside rthose `to which the blocks lare secured.

In the illustrated embodiment each of the conical pulleys 72 includes an axial cylindrical projection 100-at the apex thereof in which two pair of double grooves 102 and 104 are provided. The double grooves are in each case formedof two grooves 196, 107 of equal depth and 'diameter having a Vsheave wall 108 therebetween. The sheave wall is broken away as at v11() to permit a cable 112 to be lodged in one of the grooves of the pair-and carry-into the other groove thorugh the break 110. The pockets 114, and shoulders 116 at the ends thereof, are formed in one of the grooves 107 of each of the pair 102, 104 on, however, the opposite side of the axis of the pulley, as may be best seen in Fig. 5, and a block 118 analogous to the blocks 92 is secured in like fashion to the pulley to overlie the pockets 114.

A relatively large diameter driving sheave or pulley groove 120 is provided ou the periphery of the pulley.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the back side of each of the pulleys 72 is appropriately ribbed 122 for strength and rigidity. The rear wall 124 of the driving sheave 120 is interrupted at a portion of the periphery thereof between the numerals 126 and 128, and the floor 130 of that sheave is carried inwardly of the periphery of the pulley as at 132 on a rounded boss 134 formed integrally on the back side of the pulley.

Sheave or pulley Agroove 120 is to carry a relatively large driving cable i136, one end of which enters the interruption in the periphery of the sheave between numerals 126 and 128 and is anchored to the back side of the pulley. To achieve this anchoring, the metal of which the pulley is made is brought out to within a short distance of the plane of the back surface 138 of the driving sheave as at '140 adjacent rib 1220. The raised portion 140 terminates in the direction of boss 134 on the line indicated by 142. A pocket 144 is formed in this portion 140 which has an open end 146 facing boss 134 and an opposite semi-circular end 148. A hole 150 -is formed in the pocket 144 concentric with the curved end 148 thereof. A pin 152 is press-fitted into the hole to extend to the plane 138 of the back side of the pulley.

The raised portion 14) in which the pocket 144 is formed lies sufficiently inside the plane 138 to accommodate a rectangular plate 154 overlying the pocket 144 so that the outer surface 156 of the plate is approximately flush with the back side of the pulley. The plate is secured against portion 140 by studs 158 extending into appropriately tapped holes. The pla-te has an aperture 160 therein in which the outer end of pin 152 is received.

Cable 136 has an eye 162 secured to the end thereof. The end of the cable is secured in pocket 148 -by removing plate 154, placing the eye over pin 152 and then securing the plate again to the raised portion 140'. In this fashion, Vthe end of the cable is firmly and strongly secured to the back side of the pulley in alignment with sheave 120 and the cable 136 extends from the eye through a gap 164 in n'b 122b, over surface .132 of boss 134 and into sheave 120'.

Fig. 6 shows one of the pulleys 72 as oriented when the press is open. It will be noted that the main driving cable 136 makes nearly a complete turn around sheave 120 of the conical pulley 72.

The several plates 42 are carried by lifting cables 166 which are secured .at one end to the plates as will be later described, and are attached at their upper ends to pulleys 72. The upper end of each of the lifting cables terminates in a cylindrical plug 168, larger in diameter than the cable and conforming in diameter to the pockets 82. The plug furnishes a shoulder 170 at that end thereof meeting the cable which lodges firmly against the shoulder 80 defined by the termination of the enlarged portion or pocket 82 in each of the lifting cable sheaves 78. The lifting cables yare secured to pulley 72 by removing the blocks 92 from the pulley, placing the plugs 168 in the pockets 82 with the plug shoulders 170 abutting against the socket shoulders 80 and replacing the blocks 92. The inside edges 96 of the blocks 92 confine the plugs within the pockets 82 and serve to center the lifting cables 166 in their appropriate grooves of the individual sheaves.

It will be pa-rticularly noted -that the main driving cable 136 and lifting cables 166 extend from the pulley 72 in the same direction but fromopposite sides of the axis thereof. The effect obviously will be that as the main cable 136 is'unwound from the pulley, the lifting cables 166 will be wound thereon and as the lifting cables unwind the main cable will be rewound.

Turning particularly to Figs. 1 and l2 of the drawings, the base structure of the press is box-like, as stated before, and includes upright plates 172 defining the front, back and sides of the base, the plates meeting each other -at corners 173. As may be particularly seen in Fig.. 12 a -ioor plate 174 underlying plates 172 extends outwardly beyond sides of the vertical plates 172 of the base. A U-shaped bracket 176 having unequal legs is welded with the base outward to the side of the vertical side plate 172 adjoining the outward extension of the floor plate to present a vertical bearing plate 178` occupying a plane parallel to the pl-ane of the conical pulley 72 but spaced inwardly toward the base of the press relative to the position of the conical pulley. Plate 178 is apertured -as at 180 and the aperture contains one end of a pulley shaft 182. The pulley shaft has a simple, large diameter, idler pulley 184 thereon, grooved to receive the driving cable 136. An outer bearing hanger 186 is secured at one end to the floor plate 174 under the router end of the pulley shaft 182 and extends upwardly to terminate in a bearing 188 which receives and supports the outer end of pulley shaft 182.

As stated and as will be appreciated from the drawings, the main driving cables are fixed at their upper ends to the back sides of the conical pulleys 72, extend into driving sheaves of those pulleys, and extend downwardly therefrom to be entrained on the under sides of idler pulleys 184. The other ends of the cables are secured as at 190 to fthe bottom platen 30 as shown best in Figs. 3 and 14.

The bot-tom platen includes heavy metal skirts l192 eX- tending downwardly therefrom on the sides thereof. Cable anchors 194 consisting of flat plates having a transverse tubular bead 196 at one end 198 thereof are secured as by welding at against the skirts 192 so that the bead ends 198 thereof project beyond the ends of the skirts and in vertical alignment with the sides of idler pulleys 184 opposite those which receive the driving cables 136. The lower ends of cables 136 terminate in threaded studs 200 swaged thereto. The cables extend from the under side of the pulleys 184 up through the beads 196 in the anchors 194, and nuts 202 are threaded on studs 200 and engage 'the top edge of the anchors to secure the lower ends of cables 136 to bottom platen 30. The threaded studs, of course, are provided for the purpose of adjusting the effective length of cables 136.

As described, the lifting cables 136 are secured at their upper ends in the variously diametered, independent, lifting cable sheaves 78. The cables extend downwardly from pulleys 72 to carry the plates 42 at their other ends. Disregarding `for the moment the special lnstance of the uppermost movable plate 42b, cables in the grooves of least diameter of the four pulleys 72 carry the next uppermost movable plate 42a. The cables contained in the grooves of next larger diameter, the next lower plate land sogon, the cables in the sheave of greatest diameter carrying fthe next plate above plate 50 which is carried directly by the bottom platen 30.

Referring particularly to Figs. 8 through 1l, each of the movable platesv 42 is furnished with arms 204 secured at their inner ends 2 06 against the front and back edges of each of the plates to extend outwardly at their outer ends 208 beyond the sides of each plate. The arms may be attached to the plates by bolts 210 extending into the plates and keys 212 contained in appropriate longitudinal key slots between the facing edges of lthe plates 42 and the arms 204.

Y The illustrated press has fteen movable plates therein aside from the plate 50 carried directly by the bottom platen 30. K The plate illustrated in Fig. `11 is the second plate, 42a, from the top. A bore 214 is formed in the ananas@ extreme outer endof each ofithe' rmsiconnectedtothait plata-and, inwardly thereof, the'l arms have thirteen sirni-A lar` holes 21`6fformed therein. The holes: 214, 216 ai'el proportioned to permit' the lifting' cables 166 to pass' freely therethrough; The bore 214 underlies directly the liftingy cable sheaves 78a of the conical pulleys 72.. The lifting cables lda contained in sheaves 78a extend from the sheaves downwardly through the bore 214-r in the ends of arms 204 and terminate in spring cages; 2182 to support plate 42a.

Each of the spring cages, illustrated particularly in Fig. ll), consists of a spring bar 220 Weldedy transversely to the under side of one of .the -arms 2'4iatV theV extremity thereof. The spring bar has a central bore 222 therein aligning with bore 214 in arm 204 and has one end of two spring cage rods-224 secured therein to extend downwardly 1therefrom on' eitherv side' of bore 222. The lower. ends of the rods 22e are` threaded as at 2262 A'yoke bai-'228 has two holes 236 therein on each side thereof by means of which it is mountedon the rods 224. The yoke bar likewise has a central aperture 232 therein in' alignment with the bores 222 of the spring bar 22|)V and bore 214 of the arm 2M. Coil springs 234 are held incoinpression on rods 224 between the spring bar 220 and the yoke bar 228. The yoke bar is secured to rods 22.4 by nuts 236, the nuts being threaded on the rods 224-in order toy adjust the; tension ofthe springs 234;

Grieof the cables 166, as stated, extends downwardly through bore 2id in the end of arm 2041-and continues down:Y through bore 222 inthe spring arm 220. The cable terminates in a threadedA tip 238 swaged thereto' which continues downwardly through thevcentral: aperture.' 2.32 in the yoke; bar 230 and? the springcage 218 hangs from the threaded tip 238 of the cable against nuts 249 threaded on-the tipe238f. A spacer-242maybe providedf between the nuts 240" andf fthe.4 yoke bar 228 to facilitatefadjustmentfof Ithe nuts 24U-to adjust thezposition of; the; plates on the cables 166;

Reverting to* the plates 42S andthe armsi204 connected thereto; it will' be recalled that the conicaly pulleys 76 are so'rorientedt ont the frame of 'the press as'to have vertical tangenty planes parallel to' the front and backv edges ofvfthe, plates and narrowly outside the'plates 42. The outward' spacing ofthe planes is suicient to center the portionfof the pulley surface inthe planeA verticallyA over the arms: 204 (.Fig. 8). The api'ces of the pulleys 72 extend angularly 'outward fronr. the corners .of thepress. The sheaves 7 3 in the surfaces thereotinearestithe apices have-the; smallest diameter and: therefore the smallest litting cable Atake up for any given. revolution: of the pulleys 72; The cables 1661 in :these sheavesv are connested to the-upper'plates 4Z. The cables of eachof the successively larger sheaves are connected :to successively lower plates. The smaller sheaves being., more remote from the plates, the upper plates have Vthe longer arms to extend the greater. distance toward the` apices of the pulleys 72. inwardly of their ends they pass.V the cables 166e extendingto the lower. plates throughl holes. 216. Thus every plate in descending succession has shorter arms; in an inverted step-like arrangement' to underlie the pulley sheaves supporting. thatplate and'passing the cables supporting the plates thereunder..

The operation of the above described press will be evident from the foregoing description; Thepress is shown open in Fig. 1 or in condition to be charged; Even layers `of powdered or granular hardboar'dfmaterial will be. introduced into the gaps between each of the plates 42 `on pans (not shown). Upon charging the press, pressure is. appliedto; the elevating. cylinders to raise the' bottom platen 2tlg` Uponelevationrof the bottom platen, the lower ends of the main driving cables 136", attached tothe lower platenl 3:0"v by cable anchors 194; are' drawn. upward. Upward movement of` the lower.- ends of thecabl'es 1-96servesto unwind the upper endsofthe cablesffrom' the drivingsheavesl, the'dler pulleys h18d-[causing a` reversal of. thel cable movements The upperf ends ofcableslheing secured to the coni.- cal pulleys'72; unwindingffrhedriving cables from their. sheaves *effects-l a rotation, of ,the conical pulleys' to windthe lifting cables 166w in their respective sheaves. Thesmall radius of: the sheaves from which the upper plates are suspended resul-ts in a relatively slow rate'of. elevation'. of these plates. The larger diameter' of the sheavessupporting the lower plates will, of coms@ eleot ai greater 'ratei off movement of the lower plates. The radii of the several sheaves of each pulley are so deter` mined that all plates moveupwardly toward' the. top platen 36 of the press, or more exactly toward platte 48' fixed thereto, each progressively downward plate moving at a progressively greater rate of speed as compared vw'th the platesabove until all plates lin-ally meet together substantially simultaneously at the top of the stroke off theelevatingrams 28 and in a pile against the top platen ofY the press.

The illustrated embodiment discloses a sixteen opening press having sixteenr movable plates including the plate 50-carried directly by the bottom platen 30. As my invention is appliedin this .particular instance, the openings ofthe pressr areV 8 inches. The total movement of the press, therefore,r is 128 inches less the thickness of the panels to be formed.V Again, in the particular press illustratedthe rate of. closure of the press or movement of the rams 28 isonthe order of 320 inches per minute.

Under common practice where, upon movement of the elevating ramsthe bottom platen picks up the platen. next above and, consecutively, that` plate-the one above it,.etc;,. the rate of closure as between any pair of facing plates is S20-inches per minute.. By the employment of my invention, however, with the bottom plate being moved upward at the rate of 320 inches per minute, the plate nextabovewill bereceding from the bottom plate at the rate of15/v16 of 320 inches per minute or 300 inches per minute and the plate next above will be. receding from the second plate at 280 inches per minute. In other. words, to close the S-inchgap between plates under. conventional practice, requiresV 4.5 seconds or the time required for the elevating ram to move 8V inches. In the practice ofmy invention the plates close one on the other at the rate of 20 inches perminute, that being the differential between the rates of movement between adjacent plates or requiring an elapsed time of 24 seconds for adjacent plates to close on each other.

It will be evident that the several sheaves in each of the conical pulleys 72 must be accurately formed as to radius so as to provide different in take-up rate, upon the movement of the pulleys at a given angular velocity, so as to divide the velocity evenly between the several plates or equivalent members to be moved,` and likewise that the linear take-up. of each of the plates be proportionedto collect'the plates together substantially simultaneously upon rotation of the conical pulleys 72 through a given -angularity The springicages 218, by which the plates are suspended from the lifting cables 166, contain provision for fine adjustmentv of the movement of the plates by movingl the yoke bar 228 on. the tip. 238 of the cable. Likewise, the` springsV 234 provide amply forv any minor variances in plate positioning on-the cables, in unevenness offilling between plates or, indeed, any omission of hardboard charge between one or more plates. It will be appreciated that my invention is directed to bringing the plates together slowly and simultaneously during that portionof the stroke directed to the rapid traverse portion of the press movement. Once the plates have been collected together against the top platen with the bottom platen at the bottom of the pile, nal pressure application will be made in conventional fashion functionally independent of the mechanism of my invention. The order-ofv forces involved in curing pressureapplication are such as to override by far any inuences involved in the cable suspension of the plates by the spring cages 218.

In describing the operation of my invention I have spoken of the press plates as closing one on the other.

This obviously is only an approximation of the actual situation. The plates, of course, will close with layers of hardboard material between. This, however, does not alect the design of my movement proportioning mechanism. The same mechanism which gives the effect of simultaneous closure of the press plates on one another` will likewise cause all the plates to reach a separation from each other of one inch, one-half inch, or whatever board thickness is sought, simultaneously. It will be appreciated that the different distances which the several plates must be raised are in an arithmetic progression, that, therefore, the radii of the sheaves will likewise be in an arithmetic progression and, therefore, for similarly proportioned sheaves the surface defined by the sheaves will be a true cone.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the uppermost movable plate 42b must move a distance of roughly eight inches to close on the topmost stationary plate 48. Were I to suspend this plate directly from the conical pulleys 72 in the same fashion as the plates thereunder, the diameter of the sheave containing the cable suspending this plate would have to be about two and one-half inches, assuming a 360 rotation of the conical pulleys. A sheave diameter so small would result in imposing a dimension limit on the pulley shaft 62 which might make the shaft insufficiently strong for its purpose. I, therefore, have illustrated, particularly in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, an alternative method of supporting this plate whereby the rate of movement of the plate is less than that of plate 42a even though the cables 166b supporting that plate are secured in sheaves 104 which are the same diameter as the sheaves 102 supporting plate 42a.

Plate 42b has arms 2041 similar to the arms 204 of the rest of the plates secured in like fashion to lthe front and back edges to extend out beyond the sides thereof. The arms 204b lie in the same vertical plane as the remainder of the arms 204 and are bored to pass the lifting cables 166 extending to the plates below. At their ends, however, the arms 204b mount horizontal pulley shafts 250 extending outwardly from the press. Pulleys 252 are mounted on shafts 250 against the outside faces of arms V204b. The pulleys 252 are so proportioned and situated that the outside edges thereof lie directly under the point of emergence of cables 166b from grooves 104.

Brackets 254 are mounted by pairs of plates 258 to the front and back sides of the top platen 36 to extend out from the top platen in approximate alignment with the inside edges of the pulleys 252. Spring cages 260, identical in all respects with the spring cages 218, are secured to the brackets 254 in inverted relation with the spring bars 220 secured against the brackets. The cables 166b supporting the uppermost plate extend from sheaves 104 under pulleys 252 and up to spring cages 260. The consequence of this support of the uppermost movable plate 42b is to halve the movement of that plate with respect to the movement of plate 42a, in spite of the fact that the cables suspending the two plates are entrained over sheaves of the same diameter. In this fashion I am able to provide a least sheave diameter of live inches as opposed to the two and one-half inches which would otherwise be necessary as described before and so achieve greater strength both of pulleys 72 and shafts 62 for the adequate support of the plates.

It will be evident from the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of my invention that I have provided movement proportioning mechanism admirably suited to its stated purpose of causing the simultaneous closure of the elements of a multiple opening press and as a consequence thereof, providing a closing rate as between adjacent press elements .which is but a fraction Vof the rate of press closure. The device functions surely and elfectively. It is so conceived that the incorporation of all necessary strength may be easily achieved. The design thereof is such that board of any thickness may be formed in a press incorporating my invention without modification or adjustment.

The mechanism of my invention as applied to a multiple opening press'adds only minimally to the floor space and overhead requirements of the press.

The use of my invention permits the rapid cycling of hardboard presses for high production with, at the same time, negligible feathering of the edges of the hardboard charge, thus insuring fewer rejected sheets and avoiding extensive trimming.

My mechanism, as incorporated -in a press, is flexible and contains ample provision for such variances as may arise for instance in hardboard manufacture of unevenness of charge, omission of one or more charges, cable stretch, etc., and contains ample provision for re-adjustment to compensate for such effects as the latter.

It will be'understood that I have described above an embodiment only of my invention as applied to a particular type `of hydraulic machinery. Other embodiments and forms are conceivable and within the purview of my invention, and likewiseother contexts of use will undoubtedly suggest themselves. I, therefore, desire that my invention be regarded as being limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of normally spaced, horizontal, vertically stacked platens, conical. pulleys having a plurality of independent grooves therein extending from the periphery thereof inwardly toward the center mounted above said platens, cables secured at one end in said grooves suspending said platens from said pulleys, the cables supporting the upper platen being l'secured in the innermost grooves of said pulleys and the cables supporting each platen consecutively downward therefrom being secured in the consecutively outward grooves, means for elevating the lowermost of said platens, means connecting said lowermost platen to said pulleys to rotate said pulleys in response to `the upward movement of said platens to wind said cables on said pulleys to elevate the platens above said lowermost platen, the circumference of the grooves of each pulley differing in an approximate arithmetic progression to close each of said platens against the platen next above, simultaneously.

2. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of normally spaced, horizontal, vertically stacked platens, conical pulleys having a plurality of independent grooves therein extending from the periphery thereof inwardly toward the center mounted above said platens, cables secured at one end in said grooves suspending said platens from said pulleys, the cables supporting the upper platen being secured in the innermost grooves of said pulleys and the cables supporting each platen consecutively downward therefrom being secured in the consecutively outward grooves, means for elevating the lowermost of said platens, means connecting said lowermost platen to said pulleys to rotate said pulleys in response to the upward movement of said vplatens to wind said cables on said pulleys to elevate the platens above said lowermost platen, said grooves of each pulley differing in diameter to close each of said platens against the platen next above, simultaneously.

3. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of normally spaced, horizontal, vertically stacked platens, conical pulleys having a plurality of independent grooves therein extending from the periphery thereof inwardly toward the center mounted above said platens, lifting cables secured at one end in said grooves suspending said platens from said pulleys, the cables supporting the upper platen being secured in the innermost grooves of said pulleys and the cables supporting each platen consecutively .downward therefrom being secured in :the Agrooves consecutively outward therefrom, means for :elevating the lowermost ofsaid platens, driving cables operatively 'connected at one end to said lowermost platen-t0 'move with said lowermost platen, saidcables being connected at their other ends to the peripheries-of'saimpulleys .and -wound thereon to effect `rotationof said .pulleys upon upward `movement; of Vsaid lowermost platen, ksaid-lifting cables being connected to said `pulleystobewoundthere- 'on iupon unwinding 'of said driving cables, said llifting Ycable ypulley grooves differing in diameter toetfect a closure'of each of said vplatens against the;platen next above simultaneously.

4. A multiple opening press comprising apluralityof normally spaced, horizontal, vertically -stacked platens, conical pulleys having a plurality of independent grooves therein extending from the periphery thereof inwardly toward Vthe center mounted above said platens, vlifting cables secured at one end in said grooves, means at the other ends of said lifting cables resiliently supporting'said platens, vthe cables supporting the upper platen being se cured in the innermost grooves 4of said pulleys and the cables supporting each platen consecutively downward `therefrom being secured vin the consecutively outward grooves, means for elevating the lower-most of said platens, means connecting said lowermost platen tosaid pulleys to rotate said pulleys in response to the upward movement -of said platens to Wind said Vcables -on said pulleys to elevate the platens above said lowermostplaten, the circumference of the several grooves of each `pulley differing in an approximate arithmetic progression to close each of said platens against the platen next above,

simultaneously.

5. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of `normally spaced, horizontal, vertically stacked platens,

cables secured at one end in said grooves suspending said .platens from said pulleys, the cables supporting-the upper platen being secured in the innermost grooves of said pulleys and the cables supporting each platendownward therefrom' being secured in the grooves consecutively outward therefrom, means for elevating the lowermost of said platens, stationary idler pulleys secured-to said press below said lowemiost platen, driving cables operatively connected at one end to said lowermost platen to move with said lowermost platen, said cables -being entrained under said idler pulleys and connected at their other ends to the peripheries of said conical pulleys and Wound thereon to unwind therefrom and thereby effect rotation of said pulleys upon upward movement of said lowermost platen, said lifting cables being connected to said pulleys to be wound thereon upon uri-winding lof said driving cable, said lifting cable `pulley grooves 4of each pulley differing in diameter from each other to effect a ,closure of each of said platens against the platen next above, simultaneously.

6. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of normally spaced, horizontal, vertically stacked platens, conical pulleys mounted above said platens vfor rotation labout a horizontal axis, the apices of said pulleys extending outwardly from said press, said pulleys having vertical, tangent planes parallel to and closely .adjacentopposite Vedges of said platens, lifting cables secured at one end in said grooves, arms secured against opposite edges of said 'platens to extend outwardly beyond the sides thereof, the

arms associated with the uppermost movable platen extending outward to underlie vertically the innermost grooves of said pulley and the arms associated with each consecutively downward platen extending outward a consecutively less distance to underlie the consecutively outward grooves, means securing the other ends of the lifting cables .to the outer ends of the arms underlying each of .said grooves, `each of said having vertical bores therenpassing the cables supporting theplatens below,

the platen bearing saidarms, means for elevating ythe lowermost rof saidplatens, means iconnectingrsaid lowermost platen to said pulleys to Vrotatesaid pulleys infrespouse to the upward movement ofsaid platens .to wind -said cables on said pulleys 4to elevatethe `platens above said lowermost platen, `the circumference ofthe-grooves of each pulley differing in an approximate arithmetic progression toclose each of said platens againsttheplaten next above, simultaneously.

7. Movement proportioning mechanism for -closing a plurality of substantially equally spacedmembers-simultaneously againstvone another, said members 7includinga stationary member 4at one end thereof and ia movable member at the'othe'r end thereof; comprisingmeans for moving said movable member toward said stationary member, a pulley, a main cable operatively connected at one end to said movable end member vto -move with said movable end member and connected at its opposite fend to said pulley and wound thereon to be unwound from said pulley and effect rotation thereof upon movement ofV said movable member toward said-stationary member, sheaves equal in number to the 4numberof :intermediate members connected to said pulley to rotate therewith,

member-moving cables secured at oneend to lsaid members individually and at the other end in saidsheaves-to be wound'on said sheaves as said main cable-is unwound Vtogether and against'said stationary-end member substantially simultaneously uponrotation of said pulley through that angle occasioned by movement of said movableend member to a position closed against said closed stationary end member and intermediate'members.

8. Movement proportioning mechanism for closing a plurality of substantially equally spaced members simultaneously against one another, said members `including a stationary member at one end thereof, the other of .said members being movable toward said 4stationary member,

'comprising means for moving one of said members ttoward said stationary member, a pulley, a main'cable operatively connected atrone end to said one movable imember to move with said member and :connected at `its opposite end to said pulley and wound thereon to :be unwound from said pulley and effect rotation vthereof through a given angle upon movement ofsaid one'movable member to'its closed position, sheavesequal innumber to the number of other movable members connected to said pulley to rotate therewith, `member-movingcables secured at `one end to said members and at the other end inl said sheaves to be wound on said sheaves as saidimain cable is unwound from said pulley .to draw other said movable members toward said stationary rend member, said sheaves having respective diameters to lmove f said other movable members to closed position against .said stationary end member substantially simultaneously upon rotation of said pulley through said angle.

9. A multiple opening press comprising a vstationary top platen and two platens lnormally 'spaced therebelow, means for -raising the lowest of said platens toward 'said stationary platen, a pulley on the intermediate of `said platens, a cable fixed at oneend-abovetheclosed position of said intermediate platen entraine'd under said pulley and means operatively connected to `said lowest 'platen for taking up Vthe other end of said cable at the vrate of ascent of said lowest platen. n'

l0. Movement proportioning mechanism for closing three substantially equally spaced members `simultaruously against one another, one end member `of said `three being stationary, comprising means lfor moving `the `other end member toward said stationary member, ya pulley secured to the .intermediate of :said members, 'aicable fixed at one end in relation to said stationary member. entrainegl over said pulley and extending againm thedirection of said stationary member and means operatively connected to said movable end member `for taking up the other end of said cable at the rate of movement of said movable end member toward said stationary member.

11. A multiple opening press comprising a plurality of normally spaced horizontal, vertically stacked platens, the uppermost of said platens being stationary, means for elevating the lowermost of said platens, cables resiliently connected to the intermediate platens to suspend said platens, members connected to said lowermost platen to be moved through an are upon upward movement of said lowermost platen, said cables being connected to said i4 member to be taken up thereby upon said arcuate movement, the cables of the upper of said intermediate platens being connected most nearly the center of rotation of said members and the cables of the intermediate platens consecutively below being connected consecutively remotely `from said center to close each of said platens against the platen next above substantially simultaneously upon movement of said lowermost platen to its uppermost positiom References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,182,833 Winegar Dec. 12, 1939 

